I think you guys are completely awesome! Have I mentioned that?

Well don't think I can say it enough.

I dedicated this chapter to all of my reviewers! You are my motivation to write : )

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight. I do own Joe, Mel, and Sara.

Please R&R! Hope you enjoy!

I was a little nervous about this one, but had fun writing it.

Chapter 16

Edward took my hand and led me outside to my truck. I let myself lean into his side. He then dropped my hand. Before I could become too upset at the loss of his touch, I felt his arm wrap around my shoulders. Electricity seemed to pulse through my veins.

"Thank you," I whispered. "How many times have you saved me?"

"I am not keeping track, but there is no limit to how many times I will."

"Well thanks."

"Anytime."

When we reached my truck Edward released me so I could climb in. The problem was I did not know how to in my skirt. I could ask Edward, but would that be awkward. Thankfully I didn't have to ask him.

Joe was running up. "Hey Edward. Need help Bella?"

I simply nodded. I turned to Edward, "Bye Edward. See you tomorrow."

"I can't wait," he said while sweeping a piece of hair behind my ear. I shivered at his touch.

My response caused my favorite crooked grin to spread across his face.

My favorite crooked grin?

Soon Joe and I were on our way home.

Minus the incident with Mike, my week continued in about the same fashion.

I could feel my relationship with Edward growing. We were constantly talking when we had the chance. Our conversations were about anything and everything. I would prattle on about my day and he would nod his head and comment in all the right places. I would do the same for him.

Edward loved to ask me questions about my past, present life, and future goals. He seemed to want to know everything about me. For some reason I opened up easily and told him.

He even asked about my dating history. That was an interesting conversation. I told him that there was nothing to tell. I had never had a boyfriend before and I have only been on one date. That went nowhere when he tried to kiss me at the end with dorito breath (Ha ha experience with that. I know. I have all the luck). We had not even eaten anything like that. I simply turned away from his lips and went in the house leaving him on the porch.

At this story Edward started laughing. It was the first time I had heard him laugh so much. When he finally settled down his face became serious as he asked if this means that I had been traumatized from kissing for the rest of my life.

I had answered simply with a "No."

I then blushed at the remembrance of Sunday evening. Edward seemed to remember it as well because he grew quiet for a moment and then moved onto asking me if I had ever had any pets.

I would practically jump out of my seat when the bell rang at the end of English and Journalism. I got into the habit of packing up my books before class ended. It was only the fear of falling that kept me from running to Calculus.

No matter how quickly I tried to get there, Edward was already at this desk waiting for me. As soon as I saw his face, I could not help but smile.

Once Calculus was over with, Edward would walk me to Spanish. We would walk hand-in-hand and talk.

I still could not believe that this perfect being, I would walk next to, wanted to spend so much time with me. I never did bring up the conversation I overheard in the locker room. I did not know the truth of his own dating history. Afraid of the answer, I never asked. As for the part about him pitying me, well I never brought that up for obvious reasons.

I guess people who would look at us, believed we were a couple. We were not, but to call us just friends seems wrong. I found Edward becoming one of my best friends. It was nice, but best friends didn't hold hands the way we did.

Now I found it to be Saturday morning. The one day I have been dreading. It was my birthday and also the day I had to go shopping with Alice. To top it all off no Edward. Which was no good, because the doubts would set in about whether or not it was a good idea to let him so close. It's when my brain started working. As it always did in the morning, except today I wouldn't get to see Edward, who's presence would make those thoughts disappear.

I did not have enough time to think because, there was a loud bang as my door shot open and Joe came running in. He dove onto the bottom of my bed.

"Happy Birthday Bells!"

I laughed, "Thanks Joe."

"Your welcome. Now open my present before you open anyone elses," he said pulling an..interestingly wrapped present out of his pocket.

I pulled off the wrapping paper to reveal a small white box. I then removed the lid and saw inside that there was a silver chained necklace. On the chain there were two charms in the shapes of a small lock and key.

"Joe, It's beautiful," I gasped.

"Really," he asked excitedly, "You like it?"

"I love it."

A huge smile broke across his face, "I picked it out myself."

"Will you help me put it on?"

"Sure," he said. I lifted the back of my hair for him to clasp it together.

It hung down the front of my camisole to mid chest. I reached up and grabbed it. I held the small charms between my fingers.

"Thank you Joe," I said choking back those tears that threatened to spill over the other day in the parking lot.

"Jeez your welcome Bells. No need to cry," he said giving me a smile.

"I'm not," I said stubbornly as I pulled my blankets off and hopped out of bed.

I stretched my arms above my head and looked at the clock. It was eight thirty. I had less than two hours until Alice would be picking me up. I groaned at the thought of shopping.

"Come on Bells. Mom wanted to give you your gifts before Dad leaves."

Charlie was going fishing with the the deputy, Mark and Mark's friend Billy Black. I think they said his son Jacob was tagging along because they wanted Joe to go. Joe politely refused.

We made our way down the steps to the living room. I hope my parents didn't get me much.

"Happy Birthday Bella," came a chorused greeting from Renee and Charlie as I entered the room. They both came up and gave me a hug. Well it was more of hug from Renee and a side arm hold from Charlie.

"Thanks," I said managing a smile. I made my way over to the couch and sat down.

"Here Bella open this one first," Renee said enthusiastically. I think you could tell where Joe got his excitement from.

I took the package from her and placed it on my lap. I then removed the paper to reveal a book. It was to be used for scrap booking.

I smiled up at them confused, "Thanks you guys, but I don't really have many pictures."

"Well you don't now, but you will," Renee said with a smile.

"I guess you should open this one next," Charlie said gruffly handing me another package. "I think you probably have a good idea of what it is."

I did and my thoughts were confirmed when I unwrapped the next gift. It was a camera. I guess I could start taking pictures.

I turned to my parents giving them my best smile, "Thanks you guys. I really love my presents."

"I am glad you do Bella, but you have one more."

I groaned, "Oh mom. Dad. You really didn't have too."

"Nonsense. We wanted to," Renee said waving off my reaction to the idea of a third gift.

Charlie then disappeared out of the room and returned with a box much bigger than the first two. He brought it over and sat it down in front of me.

I hesitated before pulling off the paper. To my complete surprise I had unwrapped a brand new laptop. It was way too much for anyone to spend on me.

"Mom. Dad. Wow. You really shouldn't have," I said my voice filled with complete shock still.

"Yes we should have Bella. You are our daughter and you deserve it," Renee said.

"Besides you are going to need a faster computer now that you are on the school paper," Charlie backing up Renee.

"Tha-nk you so much," my voice cracking.

"Bella. Please tell me you are not going to cry again. If it makes you feel that bad, I will take the laptop off your hands- or should I say lap," Joe said rolling on the floor at his own joke.

I smiled at him. While Renee tried to shoot him a glare. She failed and grinned at her son. See no one can stay mad at him.

After opening up cards from relatives I haven't seen in years and only heard from on days like this and holidays, it was quarter after nine. I said goodbye to Charlie and then headed up stairs to get ready.

Once I was showered I headed back to my room. At the door I stopped and looked around my room. This was a habit I started after Monday. I did not need another minor heart attack caused by a certain pixie.

Too bad I received another one today.

"Are you looking for me," came Alice's voice from behind my back.

I jumped.

"Alice you seriously need to start wearing a bell," I said once I controlled my temper.

"Silly Bella. That wouldn't be any fun."

I rolled my eyes, "So what am I wearing today Alice?"

"Well I hadn't brought anything with me, but let me see what I can find in your closet. We need to hurry though. Rose is waiting in the car."

I sighed at relief. At least I know I am not wearing a skirt.

Alice ended up picking out a pair of jeans that she said 'should fit me comfortably, but still show off my shape.' Her words not mine, though I had to admit she was right about the comfort part. I don't know about the shape thing, but whatever.

She paired it with a yellow sheer cotton camp shirt. The top buttons undone to reveal a white camisole underneath. On my feet I wore a pair of white tennis shoes.

The entire outfit was rather comfortable. Alice said I would need it. We had a long day of shopping ahead of us.

Once I was dressed and hair dried we headed out.

I stopped dead in my tracks when I stepped onto the porch. There in my drive way was a red BMW convertible. (I don't know how much trunk space this car has, but for the purpose of this story, it has enough. ; )

"Bella hurry up. Lots of shopping to accomplish and our time is limited," Alice said pulling me to the car.

This snapped me out of my daze, "What do you mean limited?"

"Huh. Oh nothing, just that we want to have plenty of time to shop," she said giving me a too innocent of a smile.

"Alice," I shook my head as I climbed into the back of the car.

Soon I found us speeding down the highway. Rose drove like a maniac. I was too busy holding on to my seat for dear life, as we sped along with the top down, to comment on her driving.

We arrived in the city of Port Angelos around eleven. Something tells me if Rose was not driving, we would have made it here closer to noon.

When we got out of the car, Rose put the roof up on her car. Alice had pulled out a folded piece of paper from her pocket. She glanced at it for a second and slipped it away.

"We are first going to visit the clothing store Dare. They have cute jeans, denim skirts, and tops in there."

Great. She had a list of stores we were to visit.

I followed Rose and Alice to a small little store at the end of the street we parked on. Inside there was a bit too much pink for my liking, but Alice was right. There were a lot of cute clothes in here.

I quickly learned how serious Alice was about shopping. We were not even in the store ten minutes, before she appeared at my side with a stack of at least fifteen items of clothing for me to try on, as well as a good amount for herself. Rose also had pile of clothes to try on.

We headed for the dressing room in the back of the store.

I was surprised at how much fun I had trying on the different clothes. I usually hated spending hours in dressing rooms. Also, not all of Alice's choices were what I would normally pick out, though it was no that bad.

I guess it was the company.

Alice, Rose, and I each took turns showing off a different outfit. We would model it for each others approval.

I mean it was not all movie *insert some cheesy girl bonding song here* type of thing, but it was fun. They had to practically drag me out of my dressing stall to see the skirts I would try on though.

In the end Alice, after much of my useless protesting, bought me two new pairs of jeans, four skirts, and six new blouses. She claimed that she invited me on the trip, so she would pay. I grumbled the whole way to the next store.

We visited a couple more clothing stores and stopped for lunch before we ended up in some shoe store.

There I found a pair of black sandals that would match my skirts. I also fell in love with a pair of simple white flats. I was able to convince Alice to allow me to pay for my own shoes.

She agreed only if I would let her take me to one last store and buy me something there without complaints. I was afraid of what she wanted to buy me, but finally gave in.

With a quick stop at Rose's car, we dropped off the bags. Then Alice practically dragged me down the street to a small little boutique. In the window I saw a mannequin dressed in little flirty dresses.

"Alice," I groaned.

"Bella don't you dare start. You promised."

Inside Alice and Rose picked out a total of ten dresses for me to try on. The first four I stepped out in, they both shook their heads at without saying a word. By the time I was slipping on the sixth dress I was frustrated.

I stepped out of the dressing stall once I had a midnight blue bubble dress on. This dress was not that bad. It came about two inches above my knees and was sleeveless. It was no where near as revealing as some of the others they had chosen.

A look of shock came over Alice and Rose's faces.

So much for it being not so bad.

"Guys lets just call it quits," I said trying to escape back inside to change into my normal clothes.

A squeal of excitement came from Alice stopped me.

"Oh my gosh Bella! It's perfect!"

Rose just nodded her head in approval with a smile on her face.

I blushed at their reactions.

After paying for the dress we made our way back to the car. I was so exhausted.

It was around four in the afternoon. We had been shopping for five hours! As much as I said it was not so bad, I didn't want to repeat today for a long time.

I must have fallen asleep in the car, because the next thing I knew I was gently being shaken awake by Alice. I had my head leaned against the seat.

I opened my eyes and looked around at my surroundings. We were outside a beautiful, white mansion.

"Bella I hope you don't mind, but you haven't finished your day with me. We are going to hang out here for a little bit," Alice said giving me an innocent smile.

I eyed her suspiciously, "Okay. Do you mind telling me what you are planning though?"

"You'll see Bella," Alice's grin just becoming evil. I had really grown fond of Alice, to this point. Now she scared me again.

Ah. So what is that pixie planning?

Care to take any guesses?

Please Review and tell me what you think about this chapter and what your predictions are.

The next chapter is practically written, but I still want to know!

Love,

Jane

*I will tell you this right now though, the dress will not be worn just yet, but there is always other clothes ; )